Personality traits have been shown to influence relational outcomes such as satisfaction and stability. In romantic relationships specifically, sexual compatibility has emerged as an important predictor of these relational outcomes.
Little research has examined how individual differences in personality may interact with sexual compatibility to affect relational satisfaction. This article presents a review of recent studies that explore this question.
It is necessary to define key terms and concepts. Personality refers to the enduring patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are unique to each individual. Sexual compatibility encompasses the extent to which partners share similar sexual interests, preferences, desires, and expectations. Relational satisfaction refers to the degree to which individuals perceive their relationship to be positive and fulfilling.
Recent research suggests that personality traits such as extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, openness to experience, and emotional stability can moderate the effect of sexual compatibility on relational satisfaction. Extraverts tend to be more satisfied when their partner shares their preference for sex frequency and intimacy, while introverts are more likely to feel dissatisfied. Agreeable individuals report greater satisfaction when they experience mutually satisfactory sex, whereas disagreeable individuals report lower satisfaction when they do not match. Conscientious individuals show higher levels of sexual satisfaction when their partner is also conscientious, whereas those low in conscientiousness may find less satisfaction. Neurotic individuals experience greater satisfaction when their partner is low in neuroticism, and vice versa. Openness to experience does not seem to play a significant role in moderating sexual compatibility's effect on relational satisfaction. Emotional stability has been found to moderate the effects of sexual compatibility on romantic and marital satisfaction.
There is still much to learn about how these factors interact with sexual compatibility to influence relational outcomes.
Some studies suggest that certain combinations of personality traits may have a stronger impact than others, such as high extraversion paired with low conscientiousness or openness to experience.
Differences in cultural context or age may affect the strength of this association. Future research should explore these nuances and investigate whether personality predictors can be used to enhance relationships through counseling or other interventions.
Understanding how personality traits moderate the effect of sexual compatibility on relational satisfaction is crucial for promoting healthy and fulfilling relationships. By examining individual differences, couples and therapists can tailor their approach to improve overall well-being and relationship quality.
How do personality traits moderate the effect of sexual compatibility on relational satisfaction?
The relationship between sexual compatibility and relational satisfaction has been an area of interest among researchers for decades. Sexual compatibility refers to how well partners' sexual desires and behaviors match with each other, while relational satisfaction encompasses individuals' overall satisfaction with their romantic relationships (Golden & Buss, 2019). Research suggests that sexual compatibility may influence relational satisfaction differently depending on various factors, including personality traits.